Gas prices continue to rise, with the average price for a gallon of regular gas rising to over $5 in several states.
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline on Sunday was $4,848, up 60 cents from a month ago, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
But in nine states and the District of Columbia, the price of regular gasoline has soared to over $5 a gallon. These states are: California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Illinois, Washington, Alaska, Arizona and Michigan.
In Michigan, average gas prices are up almost 10 percent in a week, the highest weekly increase, according to the data.
Seven other states are approaching the $5 mark, with average prices for a gallon of regular gasoline currently above $4.90. These states are: Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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And nowhere in the US is the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline less than $4. Drivers were paying an average of $3.04 a gallon a year ago at that time.
California has the highest gasoline prices in the country, with drivers paying an average of $6,326 for a gallon of regular gasoline. Last month, a gas station in Los Angeles charged $7.29 a gallon for regular gas, which Twitter users said was more than the state minimum wage.
Georgia has the lowest gas prices, with the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline being $4,279.
Motorists in the US have faced skyrocketing gas prices in recent months due to inflation at near 40-year highs and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Analysts say demand for gasoline has increased as drivers filled up over the last Memorial Day weekend while total domestic gasoline stocks fell, contributing to a further rise in pump prices.
“Coupled with volatile crude oil prices, pump prices are likely to remain high as long as demand grows and supply remains tight,” the AAA said.
Some states, including Florida and Georgia, have suspended gas taxes to ease the burden.
Other states are considering other ways to help Americans as gas prices rise. In California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a plan to give car owners in the state $400 debit cards for up to two vehicles to offset high gas prices.
President Joe Biden addressed rising gas prices last month, saying the US “produced more oil domestically in my first year in office than my predecessor did in his first year.”
He added: “In order to further drive down prices, this summer my government will allow the sale of gasoline containing domestic biofuels, which was previously not allowed.
And to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and ruthless autocrats [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, I am working with Congress to enact landmark investments that will also help build a clean energy future — from tax credits for businesses to generate renewable energy to tax credits for families to make their homes more energy efficient.”
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